Surface elevated onshore and offshore cable mounting system

Abstract

A pipe mounting system comprising support cables is provided for use in mounting an above-ground elevated pipe or an underwater pipe. The pipe mounting system includes a suspended composite pipeline and a support cable. Multiple cable carriers are provided to carry the support cable along the length of the pipeline, and cradles or rings are provided that extend from the cable carriers and receive and support the pipeline.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A pipe mounting system comprising:
 a support cable; 
 a plurality of cable carriers configured to receive the support cable therethrough; 
 a plurality of cradles each secured to one of the plurality of cable carriers via a cradle cable and comprising an opening configured to receive a pipe therethrough; and 
 a plurality of mounting points; 
 wherein the plurality of cradles are configured to support the pipe inserted therethrough over a surface; and 
 wherein each of the plurality of mounting points comprises one of the plurality of cable carriers mounted thereto, and: 
 two opposing vertical support members; 
 a cross-member disposed between and affixed to the two opposing vertical support members; and 
 a carrier cable extending from the cross-member and secured to the cable carrier. 
 
     
     
       2. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of mounting points comprises a connecting member affixed to the cross-member and having the carrier cable secured thereto. 
     
     
       3. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 2 , wherein the connecting member further comprises a further pulley engaged with the cable carrier, configured to allow the cable carrier to be raised or lowered vertically. 
     
     
       4. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of cable carriers comprise cable carriers arranged along the support cable in between the mounting points. 
     
     
       5. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two adjacent mounting points of the plurality of mounting points are separated by at least 300 feet. 
     
     
       6. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pipe mounting system is configured to suspend the pipe in the plurality of cradles above ground. 
     
     
       7. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of cradles suspend the pipe at a height between nine and fifteen feet above ground. 
     
     
       8. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , wherein the support cable comprises a coated cable of galvanized steel having multiple strands each formed of multiple wires. 
     
     
       9. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first plurality of pulleys upon which the support cable is arranged configured to permit lateral movement of the support cable along the length of the pipe. 
 
     
     
       10. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of cable carriers comprises one of the first plurality of pulleys. 
     
     
       11. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of mounting points comprises a connecting member affixed to the cross-member and having the carrier cable secured thereto. 
     
     
       12. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 11 , wherein the connecting member further comprises a further pulley engaged with the cable carrier, configured to allow the cable carrier to be raised or lowered vertically. 
     
     
       13. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 1 , wherein the support cable further comprises one or more spools of cable on one or both ends of the support cable. 
     
     
       14. The pipe mounting system according to  claim 13 , wherein each of the one or more spools of cable are mounted to a surface.